Woodcock Brothers Brewing in Wilson Closes for Winter

Woodcock Brothers Brewery’s Wilson location has announced plans to close for the rest of the winter season. The brewery has taken a winter break at the location since the pandemic. “Woodcock Brothers in Wilson will be taking a short winter break (effective now) and will be closed for the season. We’ll be reopening in the spring,” a social media post read. “Thank you for your continued support—we can’t wait to welcome you back soon!” They are targeting an early April reopening. Their North Tonawanda location will remain open for business as usual.

Pearl Street Brewery Release NA Trainwreck

Pearl Street Grill & Brewery has released a non-alcoholic version of their flagship German amber ale, Trainwreck. This is the first ever non-alcoholic beer at Pearl Street. NA Trainwreck features “malty goodness with a lot of complexity for the style,” head brewer Jason Dunshie says. “[I’m] proud to be able to continue to innovate and grow as a brewer.” The beer is a medium-bodied German-style amber ale that features rich, malty flavor and aromas along with notes of toasted nuts. NA Trainwreck is on tap now at Pearl Street.

Pizza Plant’s Belgian Beer & Chocolate Event Is Back

Pizza Plant’s annual Belgian Beer and Chocolate Festival returns on Feb. 12 (5pm) to their Transit Road location. The event will feature Ommegang Three Philosophers Barrel Aged Grand Cru and Imperial Keep It Crunchy Oatmeal Stout, Strangebird Rode Vogel, Brewery Ardennes Dubbel and Winter Farm Ale and more. The beers will be available in a flight or ala carte. Each flight comes with free Chow Chocolates. Additionally, Brayton from Brewery Ardennes and Aaron from Ommegang will be on hand sampling their beers. There will also be Ommegang and Brewery Ardennes swag raffles.

 

Habitat for Humanity Buffalo’s Hammer & Ales at Barrel Factory

Habitat for Humanity Buffalo’s annual Hammer & Ales fundraiser returns to the Barrel Factory on March 20 (5:30pm) and will feature food & drink tastings of local craft beers, ciders, and non-alcoholic beverages, silent auctions, games, and more. The event is flannel-themed, so wear your best flannel out for the night. The event is part of Habitat’s The House Beer Built campaign, a yearly fundraiser that sees the organization partner with regional breweries, distilleries, and restaurants to raise money to build or renovate a new home. Tickets for the event ($45) include admission and tastings. Tickets can be purchased here.

Magic Bear to Release New Collab With Stoneyard Brewing

Magic Bear Beer Cellar will release a new collaboration with Stoneyard Brewing, Black RaspBeary Peach Kölsch, on Jan. 31 (5-7pm). This lightly fruited kolsch features a hint of sweet black raspberries and juicy peaches to go along with a touch of dryness. The release will also feature a tasting of a number of other Stoneyard Brewing beers with brewery owner and head brewer Ozzy.

Frequentem Brewing Buffalo 1st Anniversary Party, Stout Month Takeover

Frequentem Brewing Buffalo will celebrate their first anniversary on Feb. 8 in the Old First Ward. The party will feature free hot dogs, bottle pours from the brewery’s cellar, shotgun contests, raffles and beer pong all day, live DJ (3:30-6:30pm), slushies and cocktail specials, release of Heyyy Buffalo Light Lager with cucumber and citrus and Just Fruit Loganberry Fruited Sour, Jeweld permanent jewelry pop-up and more. There will also be a pre-party Friday night at the brewery with food from Emily’s Corner Diner (5-9pm) and live music from Chreath (7:30-10:30pm).

Frequentem is also bringing their Stout Month to Buffalo on Jan. 31 (5pm). The event will feature multiple small batch stouts on draft and to go as well as guest stouts from Strangebird and 3 Sons Brewing. There will be a pop-up bakeshop from Fat Daddy’s, giveaways, cocktail specials and more.

Brian Campbell is co-founder and Brand Manager of the Buffalo Beer League, and writes the weekly Buffalo Beer Buzz column. If you have beer news that should be included in the Beer Buzz, Brian can be reached at brian@buffalobeerleague.com, on Twitter (@buffbeerleague), Instagram, Threads and Untappd (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).